“What size should my roll-up banner be?” is one of the most common questions we get. The short answer: the standard roll-up banner size is 85 cm wide by 200 cm tall. The longer answer is that the right size depends on where the banner will stand, how far away people will read it and how you will transport it. This guide covers every common format, plus the technical details — bleed, safe areas and resolution — that designers need to get right.
The standard roll-up banner sizes
| Format | Width x Height | Typical placement | Reading distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Compact | 60 x 160 cm | Counters, receptions, small spaces | 1–3 m |
| Standard | 85 x 200 cm | Exhibitions, retail, events | 2–5 m |
| Wide | 120 x 200 cm | Larger booths, stage sides | 3–6 m |
| Extra wide | 150 x 200 cm | Photo points, sponsor walls | 3–8 m |
| Backdrop | 200 x 200 cm | Media walls, press areas | 4–10 m |
All five formats are available in our roll-up banners collection. The 85 x 200 cm format is also offered as a double-sided roll-up banner for open-floor placement.
Why 85 x 200 cm became the standard
The 85 cm width is wide enough to carry a logo, headline, image and call to action without crowding, yet narrow enough to fit in a car and stand in most shell-scheme exhibition booths. At 200 cm tall, the top of the banner sits above head height, so your logo stays visible even in a crowd. That balance is why most venues, event planners and brand guidelines default to it.
How to choose the right size
Choose 60 x 160 cm if…
- The banner will sit beside a reception desk, pharmacy counter or checkout.
- Floor space is limited — clinics, salons, small retail.
- You need to carry several banners at once.
Choose 85 x 200 cm if…
- You want one banner that works across exhibitions, retail and events.
- You are building a booth backwall from two or three banners side by side.
- You are unsure — it is the safest default.
Choose 120, 150 or 200 cm wide if…
- You need the banner to act as a mini backdrop behind a speaker, product display or photo point.
- The venue is large and people will see the banner from far away.
- You want space for multiple product images or sponsor logos.
Bleed, safe areas and the “hidden bottom”
Roll-up artwork is not simply a rectangle. Three zones matter:
- Bleed: Extend your background colour or image beyond the trim edge on all sides (commonly 3–5 mm on the sides and top). This prevents thin white lines if the cut is slightly off.
- The base allowance: The bottom of the graphic rolls into the cassette and part of it stays hidden inside the base when the banner is standing. Add extra background at the bottom (often around 10 cm or more depending on the stand) and keep nothing important there.
- Safe area: Keep text, logos and QR codes at least 3–5 cm inside the side edges and away from the bottom 20–30 cm, which is often blocked by tables, products or people.
Always confirm the exact artwork template for the specific stand you order, because hidden-area requirements vary between base models.
Resolution and file set-up
- Document size: Build at 100% scale, or at 10% scale with images at ten times the resolution.
- Image resolution: 100–150 DPI at full print size is sufficient for viewing distances of two metres and more. Low-resolution web images (72 DPI) will look soft.
- Colour mode: CMYK. RGB brand colours can shift when printed — check the Pantone or CMYK values in your brand guidelines.
- Fonts: Outline or embed all fonts.
- File format: High-resolution PDF is preferred; AI, EPS and high-quality TIFF also work.
Typography sizes that work
A useful rule of thumb: every 2.5 cm of letter height gives roughly 3 metres of comfortable reading distance. On an 85 x 200 cm banner:
- Headline: 12–20 cm cap height, in a bold sans-serif.
- Sub-headline: 5–8 cm.
- Supporting points: 3–4 cm minimum — anything smaller becomes wallpaper.
- QR code: at least 12 x 12 cm, placed between 100 and 150 cm from the floor.
Common sizing mistakes
- Designing a portrait flyer and stretching it to banner proportions — elements end up distorted or cramped.
- Placing the website or phone number at the very bottom, where it disappears into the base.
- Using too many bullet points. A roll-up is a signpost, not a brochure.
- Forgetting that Arabic and English versions may need different line lengths — plan the layout for both.
Quick FAQ
Is 80 x 200 cm the same as 85 x 200 cm?
They are close, but not interchangeable — artwork must match the exact stand width. Always design for the size you order.
Can I use the same artwork for different sizes?
You can adapt it, but do not simply scale it. Wider formats need the layout rebalanced so the headline and logo still sit in the top third.
What is the smallest practical roll-up?
60 x 160 cm is the smallest common format and works well for counters and small spaces.
Get your size right the first time
Compare every format side by side in our roll-up banner collection, or read our full roll-up banner printing guide for Dubai. If you are unsure about bleed or hidden areas for a specific stand, send us your artwork and our team will check it before printing.